Honoring WWII Veterans


4th Annual Historic Filipino MarathonSIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED! We recently turned over a check donation to Commander Amador Montero of the Filipino War Veterans of Washington (FWVW). The donation was part of our commitment at a tribute for veterans during our Community Night. In the photo are: Commander Amador Montero (left), Vallie Pavino (center), Conrado Rigor Jr. - IDIC Executive Director (right).


Commander Amador Montero of the Fiilipino War Veterans of WashingtonThe old warrior of freedom, Commander Amador Montero of the Filipino War Veterans of Wash­ington (FWVW), wore a sunny smile that matched his bright red shirt and blue cap when we came by to hand over a check donation of $1,000 for the veterans.

The 94-year old commander, along with other WWII veterans, can often be found at the Interna­tional Drop In Center (IDIC). They refer to the IDIC as their “head­quarters.” Commander Montero was part of the unit that broke through at Bessang to cap­ture General Yamashita.

“Those battles were 64 years ago. Veterans bristle that it’s the defeats – Bataan and Corregidor – that get all the press and are depicted in the movies. “Nobody talks about Bessang Pass where we won a great victory,” said Montero.

A quarter of a million Filipino men joined the U.S. Armed Forc­es right after Pearl Harbor. They served within the U.S. Army, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in battle, conducting guerilla ac­tions in the jungles, wasting away in prison camps.

The bravery of men like Commander Montero is something we admire and recognize, and the reason for our recent Tribute to the war veterans.